The Deadly hunt Continues (att. Dorian et al.)

[Lady Edfeil]

((To allow two magnificent storylines to play out together, we are splitting the Deadly Hunt thread. In the original thread the meeting with the mysterious stranger with the broke arrow can continue and get the love and attention it deserves, while in this place the deadly hunt for those who are threatening Windstorm will continue.))

[Dorian Hawkmoon]

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: There had been a grim set to his features as he left the Castle...the Queens benediction had eased his mind somewhat, yet he would know what it cost here and that still bothered him. It was not that he wished to change her, simply have her face reality a tad better. She was a Royal now, and that brought a whole new lod of responsibilities...the chiefest being that it was the worst sort of behaviour to try to kill a Queen...especially THIS Queen. He'd taken a small container of soot along before he left...this he would smear to his face and hands to better blend into the shadows. As expected, Shade was saddled and ready as he stepped into the courtyard. The great charger swivelled his head towards his master and snorted with teeth bared...smiling s he reached the great beast and reached out a gloved hand to pat the neck..."Yes, old friend...tonight we hunt." He swung fluidly into the saddle and turned Shade's head towards the gate. Once outside, he would make directly for the forest. The way to the camp was committed firmly to his memory...and through some trick of genetics, he could see nearly as well at night as he could in the day.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: Though Edfeil would wish it otherwise, the heart that beat inside his chest this eve was the heart of the assassin...and modesty aside, he had been the best. Opponents often took his size and bulk to mean that he was slow and ponderous, and while it was true that his body possessed a great deal of physical strength, he was incredibly agile...able to move his bulk with the absence of sound, and quick as a cat, when needed. Those were his advantages as the battle would begin with himself against a dozen. He smiled as he reached the spot he had decided to leave Shade tethered....little more than a mile from the assassins camp, and dismounted. There might be a dozen now, but that number would be considerably less when he led them to Dieter. Taking a few moments to withdraw the container that held the soot, he removed the lid and began to apply it to his hands and face. Once finished, he would go through the personal that would cleanse his mind and open his senses. It would take but a few moments and then he would look around slowly, listening. Nodding in satisfaction, he would take the bow and quiver from the saddle fit then to back amd shoulder. Completely armed now, he set out at a loping canter that would eat up the distance.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: He slowed as he neared the remembered location of the assassins camp. He could smell the smoke from the campfire on the wind, and the smell of burnt meat...rabbit, most likely. He came to a stop near a clump of bushes and became motionless. He used every sense as he waited, then began to move forward very slowly...soundlessly...until he could hear voices coming from the campsite. At that point he would take to his belly and inch his way until he could se them.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: He knew there would be lookouts, and these would be the ones he would seek out and deal with first. Patience was what was needed now, and he was almost inhumanly so. It took some moments, first to determine how many were in the camp proper...he counted 10...that meant two on lookout. He'd considered that there could have been additional brought in since the night before, but he deemed that unlikely...especially since he's contacted an old "friend" that owed him a favour, and the word was spread among the various guilds that none of the better class were available for hire. Assassins may be evil, as the rule goes, but they are not stupid...and the old Fox knew better than to cross him. It took a few more moments, but he finally sussed out the locations of the two lookouts....the closest to him a bit west of north, the other almost due east. He began to crawl slowly towards the closest, idly wondering what the man would do if he knew he had only a few more precious moments of life remaining.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: Rain would have made this a much quicker task, but one can't have everything...he paused momentarily to carefully move a branch from the way...then continued. He could have easily taken the man with a bowshot, but he would not risk the man crying out and warning the others. Making a wide circle to the side, he almost laughed at how carelessly the man performed his task....but that only made his that much easier. He took a wide berth, alternating on the path he took and his target. The plan was to circle around and come up behind the man. He tensed and froze s the man's head came up and looked on his general direction. He's made no noise, so perhaps it was only a case of the jitters. Still his hand eased slowly to one of the throwing daggers, just in case, but the man's attention left the area he was in and he continued on. It was some few moments later that a larger shadow loomed behind the lookout. He must have felt something as his head started to turn, but it never moved more than a few inches before a large hand clapped over his mouth and a thick forearm went around his throat. A quick, savage jerk and the would be killer breathed his last as the neck was snapped cleanly and the body slumped into his grasp. Swiftly he pulled him back into the treeline and left the body there...let the scavengers have him...

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: His first task now complete, he studies the scene before him...a frown creases his face as he now has a better view of the other lookouts position. He is the proper distance from the fire, but ther is little to use for cover. He rather not, be he drew the bow from his back and tested the cord, giving it a few pulls to stretch the string. A hand reaches back and draws a black arrow from the quiver as he keeps his eyes to the man....feeling the direction the light wind is blowing...not even pausing as an owl hoots. Nocking an arrow as he draws in a breath, holding it for a moment, the letting it out slowly and evenly as...in one motion he raises the bow, draws and sights, and send the deadly missile on it's way. barely a second passes as the man drops without a sound, the side of his head sporting the black fletching of the arrow that has just driven through his brain....two down.

[Lady Edfeil]

(*shudders* Well written.))

[Lady Edfeil]

Meanwhile, back at the castle



*She had spent the first hours after his departure in the chapel. The prayer on her lips had been simple and repetitive: "Please God, have mercy on their souls." But whose souls had she been praying for? Those of Dorian and Dieter, determined that this would be the end of the attacks, even when death seemed the only answer? Or for the souls of those who nae even knew yet that this night would be their last. She had tried all she could to offer leniency, while offering safety as well to those that resided in Windstorm.

And tonight, Dorian was hunting. And Dieter was watching. They had guests. She tried to keep the castle's activities normal. Lady de Blakeland, one of their guests had ventured out of the castle without a guard. Yet it was nae her place to put restrictions on where she could and could nae go. She could but ask. She knew Goodwoman Rosen was worried, and kept herself to her room in fear. Goodwoman Mae, a visitor who had arrived in Windstorm as a stole away seemed nae to be overly afraid but.. sensible enough nae to court any risks. Princess Alys had arrived, with goodman Cailin. They had offered their aide, and while her heart had known mostly fear for their venturing into danger, she could nae help herself but be grateful for their support.


Prince Gregor aided her in trying to keep the guests and those of the Windstorm family both safe, and content, with a thread of normalcy running through the tension. Between Cara and the Lady Dream, the household itself ran smoothly. Dieter manned the walls. Determined. And with a turmoil just beneath the surface she nae liked to see. They would need.. to talk.

[Dieter]

And elsewhere in the Forest...

He and Othello had slipped from the Castle before any could ask questions, the Guard realizing something major was going on with both he and Dorian armed for battle and heading out the same evening, outside of Dieters setting them to a quiet alert. Swinging Othello out to lope around the village, heading to the agreed upon space in the forest. His curse heightening his senses enough that night patrols were far easier than they had been before that long ago night. Othello trusting his guidance as he lets the big stallion stretch himself, flying like a shadow over the ground until they reach the edge of the Forest, slowing him up once they are within the trees, no need to risk hurting his friend unnecessarily. Finding the spot he was to wait, he dismounted easily, loosely tying the reins to his saddle, leaving Othello free to respond to his voice as he pulls the greatsword free from the saddle. Walking over to the trees on one side, the big stallion following him as they move to stand in the deeper shadows, two black masses in the darkness.

Standing there in the darkness, the presence wide awake behind his eyes once more, thoughts of bloodshed dancing behind his eyes from a mind not his own. In truth he had possibly pushed it too far, rousing the beast this much between cycles...And now with the knowledge of bloodshed imminent, it roused once more. Whispers of aid and power to lay waste to whatever stood before them should he only acquiesce to it's presence. His lips tightening as he forced his attention outwards, the huge greatsword settled easily in one hand as eyes and ears probe the night around them. Othello standing ready as well, sensing the tension in him, ears flicking back and forth as he snuffs at the night air.

It pained him to mislead Edfeil even in this small manner, letting Her believe he was yet within the Castle, that t'would only be Dorians blades tasting blood tonight. Frowning to himself as the beast latched on to his uncertainty to hound his thoughts ever harder. Shaking his head and focusing his will once more. Those he would face had been given their chance to walk away with their lives....They had chosen the other path, the path of pain and blood and death, so be it...

[Dorian Hawkmoon]

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: He moved a bit further back towards the concealment of the trees...he was glad of the fact that there was no moon...the earlier light rain had left clouds in the wake. What he would do now would seem a senseless waste of life to some...but every single man in that camp had chosen his own fate...he would feel neither remorse nor sorrow at sealing those fates. His hand drew back once more and drew another of the black arrows...this would be a rapid fire succesion, and he took just a few seconds to select the targets. Now....it begins...he was a blur as he nocked, drew, and released in a rapid succession...four twangs released four arrows, each speeding to a different target. Three of the figures fell and a scream was heard as the camp descended into chaos. Angry shouts as swords were drawn and the men looked this way and that. Three would never move again and the fourth was writhing on the ground, wounded. He smiled grimly, knowing he had more than sufficient time to replace the bow as he watched them search in vain. One ran from the camp in his general direction, frothing like a madman and howling curses. It was by sheer chance that he came that way, but still he would pay the same price. He drew two of the star shaped knives and with practised flips of the wrist, sent then whispering towards the man. As they struck home, he pitched face forward into the turf and twitched. in seconds, the twitching stopped as the deadly poison worked its grim magic...Now there were five...

Dieter
Cursed Wanderer
Exiled Prince of Fryseland

Windstorm Castle | RPO



•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: Hearing the sounds in the distance, a grim smile touching his lips, certainly sounded like Dorian got their attention and now to draw them this way...Onto Windstorm land, and while Her Majesty may have forgotten, She has given him the rights of Low Justice, guided by his honor, and it was clear to them it was time for them to face such. Stepping out into the clearing, a brief hand sign and a few words in Frisian had Othello moving to stand behind him a few yards, then one one last word to the big stallion, Othello reared, his bugled battle-challenge ringing out through the night, guaranteed to carry further than Dieters voice ever could, and give their quarry a direction in their hunt. Waiting easy, moonlight barely flickering off the wavy dark steel of his blade, and his fair hair, watching the path through the trees.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: After the one had dropped, he would retrace his former path so that he could lead them in the proper direction and to Dieter's waiting steel. He had the advantage now, as the remaining men would be running blindly and he knew precisely where he was going. As he reached the path, he heard the scream of Dieter's warhorse...a smile as he stopped....he was in position and would be waiting. This...was going to be FUN. He drew back into the trees and let maniacal laughter ring thru the night..."HEAR ME, CRAVEN COWARDS...I AM THE VOICE OF YOUR DOOM!...THE TIME FOR VENGEANCE IS AT HAND. YOU ALL MADE A FATAL MISTAKE, THIS EVE....COME, FOLLOW IF YOU DARE! And he would laugh again, knowin at least one that would be enraged beyond words..and that was the one he wanted most. He only prayed that Dieter could contain his own lust for blood....just....long....enough...

Dieter
Cursed Wanderer
Exiled Prince of Fryseland

Windstorm Castle | RPO



•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: He stood all but motionless on the path, the greatsword resting on it's point on the forest floor as he waited. His patience rewarded as he could hear them crashing along the path, Dorian knew these lands as well as he did, and they had picked this spot with care. The trees and underbrush were so thick that the path he faced was the only way through without going rather far afield. Raising the greatsword upright to warp both hands around the hilt as they came crashing into the clearing, drawing up at the sight of him standing there awaiting them. His voice lashing out at them in thundering tones..."In the Name of Her Majesty, Queen Edfeil of Windstorm...You have been judged, and the judgement is death!" Stepping forward then, recognizing one face he'd seen about the lands and knowing him to be the leader. That one would live for a while longer yet, but his companions, such was not to be. Mind focusing on the battle at hand, not even the beast could penetrate his focus then as he gauged their placement and movements and weapons. Where Dorian carried the skills of the darkness, Dieter had spent almost his entire life for such as this, face to face, his skill and speed and steel against theirs. Othello rearing again as the battle was joined, dancing where he stood, though obediant to the order to stay there, should any get past Dieter and break for the far exit of the clearing...Then Othello would handle them. Twisting to the left as he stepped nearer the small group, greatsword flashing down in a whistling arc, razor-sharp edge backed by the weight of steel and Dieters strength sent the mans arms and blades falling to the ground with barely time for him to scream in pain before the big blade whistled around as Dieter spun with the swing, blade coming back up to cleave the man from near hip to far shoulder, cutting off his scream as the body slid to join his arms on the ground...

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: He had followed silently behind as the fool crashed blibdly along the path that he and Dieter had, for lack of a better term, created. They would reach Dieter soon and he thought to even the odds, just a bit. Steps that made no sound closed quickly on the rearmost of the men..coming so close he could smell the reek of the mans unwashed body, he moved his hand to the hilt of the huge broadsword and blew a low whistle. As the man turned to the sound he whisperd the great blade free and using the power of the motion, sliced the man open from hip to throat, adjusting his motion to a quik spin, he followed through and let the weight of the blade and force of the blow take the mans head from his shoulders. Shade nickered from nearby and he hurried silently to where he was tethered, slamming the broadsword back to its sheath jerking the reins free. As he hauled himself into the saddle he heard the roar of Dieter's challenge and spurred Shade to where he has been waiting. Dieter was now the primary, and he, the backup..and he would have Dieter's back....The Anvil was set, and now the Hammer would play its part. He thundered from the trees into the clearing and vaulted fron the saddle, drawing the slim blads from his back as he took in the scene. Deiter, true to his words, was indeed an anvil as the would be killers murderous rush crashed against him.

Dieter
Cursed Wanderer
Exiled Prince of Fryseland

Windstorm Castle | RPO



•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: Dorians appearance no surprise to him, unlike the two before him, his legs scissoring as he sidesteps quickly, his smile harsh as the big sword spins on one hand. Dorian has the skill to recognize that Dieter was deliberately ignoring the leader, leaving himself open enough even one like that could see it as the greatsword hammers backhanded to knock the far mans blade from his hands, the hired thug not able to keep his grip against the weight of the far larger blade crashign into his. Dieters hands joining together on the hilt again as his arms raise, the blade slashing down inexorably, like an axe into firewood, Damascus steel shearing through cloth, skin, muscle and bone as it continues on its path through the mans body, from the notch of neck and shoulder down to exit the mans crotch, bisecting him and killing him before he realizes it. And there it is as Dorian watches, the deliberate pause facing the man he just cut down, his side to the leader, wide open and unprotected. A low snarl as the man does as expected, his blade hammering into Dieter as Dieter has planned. Turning slowly, letting the man see his standing there with the blade in his body, one hand releasing the greatsword to flash up in a hammering backhand, lifting the man from his feet to sprawl on the forest floor, waiting for the man to shake his head and look up before reaching up to draw the sword from his body slowly, eyes hard as flint staring into the mans. His left hand stabbing the greatsword into the ground to stand as he takes the cheap blade of the leader in his hands, massive shoulders flexing, edges of the blade cutting into flesh to grate against impervious bone as the cheap steel bends. Tossing the ruined blade aside as he glares at the man, not hiding the presence of the beast behind his eyes as skin closes..."It takes far more than that to breach the protection of Windstorm..." Eyes flicking to Dorian with a faint nod, ready for the next part of our plan.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: He took in the scene, his blades held at the ready...though it was apparent that Dieter needed no assistance. He'd shown Dorian his peculiar "talent" before they'd left, so it came as no surprise that the blade did him no harm. He gave forth a shrill whistle as the man on the ground made his way to his feet and turned in a vain attempt to run. What met him was several hundred pounds of well trained warhorse reariing on his back legs with steel shod hooves flashing. SHade would not attack, but would hold the man's attention as Dorian moved behind him. A thickly muscled forearm would would slip arounf the throat as his free hand would grab the mans wrist, twinting it painfully as he yanked the arm back roughly, leaning heavily to the man's back and forcing him to his knees. He would speak in a low voice into the man's ear as Dieter would join..."And you call yourself an assassin...pathetic. You have seen what my friend here is capable of, and whail I lack his.....resistance....to steel, I have my own talents" And he would laugh softly, before all trace of humour would drop from him..."Where is Fzoul?"

Dieter
Cursed Wanderer
Exiled Prince of Fryseland

Windstorm Castle | RPO



•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: Stepping around as Dorian held the man firmly, turning to face him, letting him see the hard gaze that locks to his own. "You fear F'zoul?...Perhaps not a unwise decision. Your error is in not fearing us more...For he seeks to harm the one we hold dear, and that will...not...be...tolerated." His voice as hard as iron on the last words. His hand lashing out to catch the mans chin, forcing him to look at his companions, sprawled in pieces, their lifeblood soaking the forest floor, thence to his own blade, bent and twisted on the ground. "So see....You WILL tell us what we wish to know..." Torture not in his nature, but the man has information vital to protecting Her Majesty, and even if he could not convince the man to speak, he knew Dorian had fewer qualms than himself, should such become absolutely necessary, for now he counted on his demonstration as well as his and Dorians presence to 'convince' the man.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: He would draw the mans arm back more as Dieter spoke, sending a painful message to accentuate his words...adding his own post script, his voice now to a feral growl as he spoke "Yes...you will tell us. Either willingly, or I will....persuade...you. Do yourself a favour and end this. You have lost...Perhaps gaining some measure of revenge on an employer that sent you into hell will ease your soull. But I swear....force me to take other measures" And at this hw would spin the man around and his eyes would widen in terror as the dim light of recognition wakened.....this was the first time he had seen his face, and there was only one face like that in the realms..."I will bring you agony the likes of which the gods do not even know" The man would begin to babble, then...and when he was through, he looked to Dieter....only two short words...."All yours..."


Dieter
Cursed Wanderer
Exiled Prince of Fryseland

Windstorm Castle | RPO



•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: Standing to one side as Dorian breaks the mans resistance, storing away everything he says, knowing Dorian is doing the same. Wandering to stand behind the man as he speaks, though he can't turn his face away from Dorian, even with the dark presence from Dieter enveloping him. At Dorians nod, he finally speaks again, his voice still hard as iron.."For Her that we serve, I shall give you the choice, as undeserving of it as you are....Would you face your end as a man, or as a beast?" Stepping around to where his greatsword stands speared into the ground and turning to face the man, who eventually stammers his answer, choosing the first. Nodding slowly as he looks at the man, one hand resting on the greatsword..."Ye are nae worthy of this blade, and it has tasted too much blood of such already this night..." Stepping forward and with one two flipping the blade dropped by one of his companions to land at the mans feet. "Pick it up and stand forward..." Dieters own hands yet empty as he waits for the man to make his decision, shakily picking up the blade and regarding it. Stepping to face off against the man, his voice demanding one last time..."Make your choice..." Not knowing or caring what was going through the mans mind, this was more for his own sake and for the one who would question him of what happened here. The man finally choosing and taking a wild swing at Dieter with the borrowed blade. Swaying aside from the blow, left hand backhanding it away against the flat of the blade, his right hand flashes to his belt, his 'short' blade whipping out to flash sideways and it is done, stepping back from the spray as the mans head topples aside, body falling to the ground. Leaning down to pick up a handful of dried leaves from the ground, wiping down his short blade before settling it back to his belt, then retrieving his greatsword and wiping it down as well, glancing to Dorian. "It seems our part is done, for now at least. And Kyle shall have what he needs to settle the matter..." Whistling Othello over to settle the greatsword back into it's place on the saddle.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: Dieter had earned this "kill" and he had no compunction against hacing his take it. The Queen had once easked to to at least offer them the chance for salvation, but hea knew then, even as he knew now...that that was beyond him. Diter would help him at least attempt to keep a portion of the promise, for he knew he would offer the man a blade and allow him a final stand...where he would have simply slit the man's throat and spat upon the corpse. He walked away from the scene and let the sonds tell him the story as he went to retrieve Shade. It was no more than a moment and even though there was a satisfaction as he saw the man's head fly from his shoulders, he knew their work was only half done. Fzoul remained, and he would be akin to a wounded wolf cornered in it's den. He would look then to Dieter and return the nod..."Aye...for now indeed. We have what we came for, and now each of us must face the Queen in our own way. She will not be....happy.....with either of us, Dieter....but she will forgive us. We did what justice demanded. Time...to go home..."

Dieter
Cursed Wanderer
Exiled Prince of Fryseland

Windstorm Castle | RPO



•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

Dorian HawkmoonNightfall: Nodding slowly as he looks at the bodies in the clearing, one hand settling Othello as he speaks quietly. "Aye, but they chose their path...Months they could have walked away and nae faced us in the end. But I could nae answer Anders courage any other way...To leave his family always living in fear, fear that the others would come for them, for what happened to their companions...Nae only for what threat they pose to Her Majesty..." Not certain if he is trying to justify it to you or himself, finally growing quiet with one last look about the clearing before swinging himself back onto Othello. "I shall have several of the Guard come deal with them in the morning, nae for their sake, but for those that use the forest...I've a couple in mind that could do with an unpleasant detail." Turning Othello's head back up the path to the village and the Castle beyond.

Dorian Hawkmoon
Nightfall's Bane
Windstorm Castle/RPO

•FOREST•
...is somewhere in the forest near Windstorm...

ALL: He would fall silent, then, having nothing to add to Dieters words....what more was there to be said? It had been a dirty business, but Dieter had spoken true....they had chosen the path that led to this night. Neither man would feel regret or shame in what they head done...each served the Queen and Windstorm in their own manners. This chapter was over....he nudged Shade to ride beside Dieter as they rode homeward...but the book was far from finished.